Cars models that were both heroes and zeroes...
Discussion
What car model(s) would you consider to offer the biggest "gulf" between the ordinary version being sub-par and another version being really quite special.
Using one manufacturer (Ford) as an example, the mk1 Focus would not be a good example of this, as even the base model was excellent, even though the RS was the one that the enthusiast would really want.
Conversely, the mk5 Escort was an awful car in standard trim but the Cosworth (even though it wasn't really an Escort) was really quite good and still a bit of a "hero" car for me to this day.
I guess the standard Sierra was nothing special compared to the Cosworth either but as an 80s kid, I have lots of fond childhood memories of Sierras, so I'm not going to nominate it.
Thinking a bit laterally, I guess that other humdrum hatchbacks/saloons such as the Subaru Impreza/Mitsubishi Lancer/Lancia Delta weren't that great in standard spec too but the Turbo/WRX/Evo/Integrale were all very special?
So which car models in your opinion are zeroes in one version but heroes in other versions?
Using one manufacturer (Ford) as an example, the mk1 Focus would not be a good example of this, as even the base model was excellent, even though the RS was the one that the enthusiast would really want.
Conversely, the mk5 Escort was an awful car in standard trim but the Cosworth (even though it wasn't really an Escort) was really quite good and still a bit of a "hero" car for me to this day.
I guess the standard Sierra was nothing special compared to the Cosworth either but as an 80s kid, I have lots of fond childhood memories of Sierras, so I'm not going to nominate it.
Thinking a bit laterally, I guess that other humdrum hatchbacks/saloons such as the Subaru Impreza/Mitsubishi Lancer/Lancia Delta weren't that great in standard spec too but the Turbo/WRX/Evo/Integrale were all very special?
So which car models in your opinion are zeroes in one version but heroes in other versions?
Stuff like the Suzuki Escudo (Vitara) if we are allowing racing cars to be included, as the pikes peak car was from a different universe compared to the road car.
It seems like quite the Japanese trait to make exceptionally dull but worthy cars and turn them into wild and beloved models, such as the Skyline and the GTR, the Civic and the Type R etc.
I did think BMW with the gulf between the 316i and an M3, but the basic car was fundamentally still a good car, unlike the Ford Escort.
It seems like quite the Japanese trait to make exceptionally dull but worthy cars and turn them into wild and beloved models, such as the Skyline and the GTR, the Civic and the Type R etc.
I did think BMW with the gulf between the 316i and an M3, but the basic car was fundamentally still a good car, unlike the Ford Escort.
Jamescrs said:
One that jumps out for me is the Mitsubishi Evo which was based on a lancer.
Probably the same could be said for the Subaru Impreza and the STI version.
That’s a good one as they did come in 1.5 n/a FWD versions.Probably the same could be said for the Subaru Impreza and the STI version.
How about something like a c-class. 1.8l - v8 twin turbo.
white_goodman said:
Conversely, the mk5 Escort was an awful car in standard trim but the Cosworth (even though it wasn't really an Escort) was really quite good and still a bit of a "hero" car for me to this day.
The Mk5 RS2000 was pretty decent as well, and I had a 1992 bonnet bulge model for 3 years and I really liked it. Yahonza said:
Fiat Uno - Fiat Uno Turbo.
Fun little story. Uncle had just had a 300zx twin turbo imported from Japan. Out for the first drive a fiat uno turbo ended up behind obviously thinking he could have a play. There is a stretch of road between Skegness and Boston we call keel hill, it’s pretty much where everyone went back in the day to give it some. Down hill and a long line of sight, 150+mph easily in anything capable.
Anyway we get up to keel hill and floor it, obviously the 300zx left it pretty much standing.
Until.
The 180kph Japanese limiter kicked in that he had no idea about, Que this fiat uno turbo screaming past and overtaking us full of teenagers laughing there heads off, embarrassing to say the least.
The week after it was at Courtney sport having a full stainless exhaust system, big FMIC, filters, and a map to take it up to around 400bhp. Oh and the removal of the Japanese limiter.
Mercedes W211 E-class.
Povvo spec was a 2.1 diesel with 120bhp. OK, not too bad.
Top spec was a 5.4 supercharged V8 (and later, a 6.2 N/A V8) with 500bhp.
The great thing was there wasn't much of a void in between, there was a range of diesel and petrol engines of 4, 6 and 8 cylinders.
The Vauxhall Insignia gets a notable mention; base spec was a 1.4 petrol or 1.6 diesel with fwd. Hot version had a 2.8 turbocharged V6, 325bhp and 4wd. Top speed was around 170mph (I don't know if that was still limited)
Another notable mention could be the Skoda Octavia -Audi TT. But that might upset people!
Povvo spec was a 2.1 diesel with 120bhp. OK, not too bad.
Top spec was a 5.4 supercharged V8 (and later, a 6.2 N/A V8) with 500bhp.
The great thing was there wasn't much of a void in between, there was a range of diesel and petrol engines of 4, 6 and 8 cylinders.
The Vauxhall Insignia gets a notable mention; base spec was a 1.4 petrol or 1.6 diesel with fwd. Hot version had a 2.8 turbocharged V6, 325bhp and 4wd. Top speed was around 170mph (I don't know if that was still limited)
Another notable mention could be the Skoda Octavia -Audi TT. But that might upset people!
seabod91 said:
Yahonza said:
Fiat Uno - Fiat Uno Turbo.
Fun little story. Uncle had just had a 300zx twin turbo imported from Japan. Out for the first drive a fiat uno turbo ended up behind obviously thinking he could have a play. There is a stretch of road between Skegness and Boston we call keel hill, it s pretty much where everyone went back in the day to give it some. Down hill and a long line of sight, 150+mph easily in anything capable.
Anyway we get up to keel hill and floor it, obviously the 300zx left it pretty much standing.
Until.
The 180kph Japanese limiter kicked in that he had no idea about, Que this fiat uno turbo screaming past and overtaking us full of teenagers laughing there heads off, embarrassing to say the least.
The week after it was at Courtney sport having a full stainless exhaust system, big FMIC, filters, and a map to take it up to around 400bhp. Oh and the removal of the Japanese limiter.
Brilliant!
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